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Public Statement-EnCana pipeline damaged

UPDATED: July 6, 2009 (11:10 p.m. PT/12:10 p.m. MT) - At about 2:30 a.m. PT (3:30 a.m. MT) on Saturday, July 4, 2009, EnCana crews working to repair damage that had been caused by an explosion earlier in the week at a natural gas wellhead south of Dawson Creek, British Columbia heard a loud noise. They immediately went to investigate and discovered a natural gas leak from a 12-inch pipeline at a remote location about 8 kilometres south of Dawson Creek. The pipeline leak was also caused by an explosion. Due to the drop in line pressure at the time of the explosion, the safety valves on the pipeline immediately shut in the line, isolating the damaged section and the leak stopped. There was no harm to workers, the public or the environment. The natural gas flowing through the pipeline was slightly sour - containing a very small amount of hydrogen sulphide - approximately 0.07 percent.

Air monitoring equipment was placed at the nearest residence, about 2.5 kilometres from the site of the leak, and no sour gas has been detected in the air.

On July 5, EnCana crews stopped the gas leak from the wellhead where an explosion took place July 1. That wellhead is less than a kilometre from the site of the July 4 pipeline incident. They are now working to repair the damage.

EnCana activated its emergency response plan to ensure the safety of the public and EnCana workers. The RCMP was called to the site immediately to investigate the cause. The B.C. Oil and Gas Commission was also notified of the incident. EnCana workers are also inspecting other facilities in the area but no damage has been discovered.